How we compared them
Every app here plays M3U playlists and most also accept Xtream Codes logins, so raw playback is not the differentiator. We looked at the things that matter day to day: whether there are ads, how you pay, whether the EPG guide is usable on a big playlist, whether Picture in Picture and AirPlay work, whether the iPad gets a real layout, and where your playlist credentials end up.
None of these players include channels. You bring your own playlist from a provider, and the app is only the remote control. Keep that in mind when a listing promises 'thousands of channels' — the app does not supply them.
The comparison at a glance
A summary first, details per app below. 'Pro' means Kanalo's optional subscription; the other apps use their own upgrade names.
| App | Price model | Ads | Sources | EPG | PiP | AirPlay | Apple TV app |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanalo | Free; Pro from €0.99/month | None | M3U, M3U8, Xtream | Free, now and next | Pro | Pro | Not yet |
| iPlayTV | Paid up front | None | M3U, Xtream | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flex IPTV | Free with in-app upgrade | In the free version | M3U, Xtream | Yes | Varies by version | Yes | Yes (separate purchase) |
| GSE Smart IPTV | Free with in-app upgrade | In the free version | M3U, Xtream and more | Yes | Varies by version | Yes | No |
| IPTV Smarters Lite | Free | Yes | M3U, Xtream | Yes | Varies by version | Varies by version | No |
| IPTVX | Paid up front | None | M3U, Xtream | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Kanalo
Kanalo is built only for iPhone and iPad, and it shows in the details: a native iPad layout with a sidebar and split view, a guide that opens instantly on playlists with thousands of channels, zapping that feels like a cable box, and no account anywhere in the app. Your M3U link or Xtream login stays on the device.
The free version is complete for watching: live TV, movies, series, the EPG guide, favourites and continue watching, with no ads. Kanalo is free to download and free to use. Pro adds Picture in Picture, AirPlay, Chromecast, offline downloads, unlimited playlist refreshes and Family Sharing for €0.99 a month, €9.99 a year or €39.99 once. One subscription covers your iPhone and iPad with the same Apple ID.
The honest downside: there is no Apple TV, Android or Windows version. If you need the same app on a Fire TV stick, Kanalo is not it.
iPlayTV
iPlayTV has been around for years and is the pick of many people who want a paid, ad-free player on both iPhone and Apple TV. You pay once up front, get M3U and Xtream support, an EPG, and a tidy interface that has aged well.
Where it feels its age is the iPhone layout and the pace of updates. It is a solid, unflashy choice if the Apple TV app is a must-have and you do not mind paying before you can try it.
Flex IPTV
Flex IPTV started on Apple TV and later came to iPhone and iPad. It handles M3U and Xtream, has catch-up support with providers that offer it, and a decent EPG. The iPhone version is free with an in-app upgrade; the Apple TV version is a separate purchase.
The free tier carries ads, and the interface is more utilitarian than native. If you already use Flex on your Apple TV, keeping the same app on your iPhone is the obvious move.
GSE Smart IPTV
GSE Smart IPTV is the veteran of the category and supports more playlist formats than anyone else, plus parental controls and Chromecast. It runs on iOS and Android, which matters if your household is mixed.
The trade-off is a dated interface and ads in the free version, with an in-app purchase to remove them. Setup is also more involved than it needs to be. Power users who want every option in a menu will be happy; everyone else tends to find it fiddly.
IPTV Smarters Player Lite
Smarters Player Lite is the app most providers recommend, mainly because it is free and exists on every platform. It plays M3U and Xtream sources and includes an EPG.
It is also ad-supported, the iPad layout is the iPhone app scaled up, and features like PiP and AirPlay depend on which build you end up with. We wrote a full Kanalo vs IPTV Smarters comparison if you are choosing between those two.
IPTVX
IPTVX is a paid, ad-free player for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV with a clean design and good M3U and Xtream support. It is closest in spirit to Kanalo and iPlayTV: no ads, no account, pay and watch.
Pick it if you want one paid app across iPhone and Apple TV today. Kanalo's advantages over it are the iPad layout, the free tier and the speed of the guide on very large playlists.
Which one should you pick?
There is no single best app, but there is usually a best app for your situation.
- You watch on iPhone and iPad and want no ads, no account and a real iPad layout: Kanalo.
- You need an Apple TV app today and are happy to pay once up front: iPlayTV or IPTVX.
- You already use Flex IPTV on your Apple TV: stay with Flex on iPhone too.
- You are on iOS and Android in the same household, or need exotic playlist formats: GSE Smart IPTV.
- You just want the free app your provider told you to install: IPTV Smarters Lite, and expect ads.
A note on providers and legality
An IPTV player is only as legal as the playlist you load into it. All of the apps above are legitimate software; what you watch through them depends entirely on your provider. Use a service you are allowed to use in your country, and be suspicious of anyone selling 'all channels' for a few euros a month.
Kanalo is independent and not affiliated with the other apps mentioned here. Feature notes reflect the versions available on the App Store at the time of writing (September 2026) and can change with updates — check the current listing before you decide.